Belfast,
9^th March 1839

My dear Lucy,

I suppose you are anxious to hear of the state of my health - and so are we how you are, and what are you doing. I am happy to say that I am now able to say as to myself, I have by the mercies of God, recovered rapidly, and am not able to resume my long walk daily which I have always felt to be most beneficial. I have had a great deal of trouble in getting my glebe house repairs, which has been also attended with much expense. I hope to be in my own church at Easter, but will be afraid to change my bed, so as I shall remain in my present lodgings for some time I will return to them the same evening. Mr and Mrs Bristow are expected in Belfast on the 25^th instant and we suppose that Sophy is in Plymouth by this time on a visit to Mrs Jardine who is there with Mr Jardine and the Depot of the Royal Regiment. they expect to be ordered to Canada, and Elizabeth wishes to have as much of Sophy’s company as possible before they go. Mrs Hodder is becoming more reconciled to Newcastle but finds it difficult to procure a house to her mind. I intend to go to Moneycarragh in the beginning of summer and I shall go around by Killough to se you. An unpleasant accident happened at the Parsonage, Kirkcubbin. A drunken slater would go up a ladder that happened to be lying against the back of my house, in spite of every remonstration to the contrary. The consequence was that he fell from the top of the roof and was killed. He was not working there at the time and had no one to blame but his own rashness. A few days later a respectable tenant of mine in Kirkcubbin died suddenly in his bed. He had unfortunately been in the habit of drinking to excess - since that they have established a temperance society which I trust may have a good effect to prevent such occurrences in future. There was a person from Downpatrick, A Mrs Kirkland, called on us lately on some business, we requested that if she by any chance heard of you being in down, that she should inform you we were wonderfully well and that I had completely recovered by former looks. Let us hear from you without delay. Rev John Bradshaw has exchanged the living of Lambeg near Lisburn for Dunsfort and will reside at Ardglass. Mr Rowan of course, removes to Lambeg. Mrs Lascelles begs her best regards to Mrs Johnston, Mr and Mrs Parkinson in which I cordially join. Our love to you,

Believe me, My dear Lucy,

Yours affectly,

F.E. Lascelles